Statement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the WPS Debate, October 2016

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been affected by many years of armed conflict with very adverse consequences, in particular on women and children, is firmly committed to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security.

This open debate gives us an opportunity to take stock of the progress made since our country endorsed resolution 1325 (2000). By way of example, I would mention the following achievements: the participation of women in all peace negotiations at national and international levels; the integration of the gender dimension in all areas of national life via the promulgation of a law on promoting and and upholding women’s right to equal representation and on guaranteeing a gender balance in our institutions; and reforms of the police and the armed forces, including the setting up of specialized units responsible for fighting sexual violence. We have also reviewed our family code, which in the past had discriminated against women and young girls, in favour of giving rights to both. Our President recently promulgated the code. We are currently reviewing our national strategy against gender-based sexual violence, with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders. We drafted and published a national action plan, adopted by the Government in October 2010, which we are reviewing at this time. Every year on 31 October, we evaluate the activities undertaken to implement the action plan — a day set aside to commemorate the resolution, with the collaboration of civil society and development partners. Finally, we have put in place a number of structural mechanisms — for example, setting up national, provincial and local steering committees and a permanent national secretariat — to facilitate the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in all 26 provinces of our country

Notwithstanding that progress, the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) still faces major challenges, such as illiteracy, early marriage and inadequate human, material and financial resources. Aware of those difficulties, my Government, through its Ministry on Women, Family and Children, has made a strong commitment, with the support of technical and financial development partners, to bolster synergy among all stakeholders to effectively implement resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2242 (2015), which aim to increase women’s prominence in the peace processes of our respective countries. The challenge is to promote the rights of women and young girls and to encourage all initiatives that will help to achieve the expected results set forth in resolution 1325 (2000).